THEY SAY I'M DEAF.
They say I’m deaf,
These folks who call me friend.
They do not comprehend.
They say I’m deaf,
And look on me as queer,
Because I cannot hear.
They say I’m deaf,
I, who hear all day
My throbbing heart at play,
The song the sunset sings,
The joy of pretty things,
The smiles that greet my eye,
Two lovers passing by,
A brook, a tree, a bird;
Who says I have not heard?
Aye, tho’ it must seem odd,
At night I oft hear God.
So many kinds I get,
Of happy songs, and yet
They say I’m deaf!
~ Saul N. Kessler
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
THEY SAY I'M DEAF.
They say I’m deaf,
These folks who call me friend.
They do not comprehend.
They say I’m deaf,
And look on me as queer,
Because I cannot hear.
They say I’m deaf,
I, who hear all day
My throbbing heart at play,
The song the sunset sings,
The joy of pretty things,
The smiles that greet my eye,
Two lovers passing by,
A brook, a tree, a bird;
Who says I have not heard?
Aye, tho’ it must seem odd,
At night I oft hear God.
So many kinds I get,
Of happy songs, and yet
They say I’m deaf!
~ Saul N. Kessler
They say I’m deaf,
These folks who call me friend.
They do not comprehend.
They say I’m deaf,
And look on me as queer,
Because I cannot hear.
They say I’m deaf,
I, who hear all day
My throbbing heart at play,
The song the sunset sings,
The joy of pretty things,
The smiles that greet my eye,
Two lovers passing by,
A brook, a tree, a bird;
Who says I have not heard?
Aye, tho’ it must seem odd,
At night I oft hear God.
So many kinds I get,
Of happy songs, and yet
They say I’m deaf!
~ Saul N. Kessler
The story of this poor disable young lady really disturbed me and i feel i should Tag as many of you as possible who can advocate the rot in our system headed by educated illiterate until we experience change. We still have some 19th century professors in our universities which by standard should have been retired. Before you take the pain to read her story, please do scan through the following names of the past disable heroes
DISABLED PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE!
1. 569–475BC – Pythagoras
2. 100-44BC – Julius Caesar
3. 1608–1674 – Milton
4. 1755-1794 - George Couthon
5. 1770- 1827 – Ludwig van Beethoven
6. 1788-1824 - Lord Byron
7. 1809-1852 – Louis Braille
8. 1821-1881 – Dostoevsky
9. 1849-1908 – Tom Wiggins
10. 1864-1901 – Toulouse Lautrec
11. 1873-1956 – W.C.Handy
12. 1879-1955 – Albert Einstein
13. 1888-1945 – Franklin D. Roosevelt
14. 1880-1968 – Helen Keller
15. 1895-1965 – Dorothea Lange
16. 1907-1954 – Frida Kahlo
17. 1930- - Blind Boys of Alabama
18. 1932-1981 – Christy Brown
19. 1937-1979 – Paul Hunt
20. 1938- - Vic Finkelstien
21. 1939- - Anne Pridmore
22. 1942- - Stephen Hawking
23. 1945- - Itzhak Perlman
24. 1947- - David Blunkett
25. 1948- - Richard Rieser
26. 1950- - Stevie Wonder
27. 1950- - Micheline Mason
28. 1950- - Dr Paddy Ladd
29. 1953- - Nabil Shaban
30. 1959 – Jane Campbell
31. 1963 – Mat Fraser
32 1965- - Alison Lapper
33. 1966 - Evelyn Glennie
34. 1968 - Heather Mills
35. 1969 – Tanni Grey Thompson
36. 1972- - Ade Adepatian
37. 1974 - Julie Fernandez
38. 1980s - Direct Action Network
39. 1986- - Heart ‘n’ Soul Theatre
& Music Group
40. 1981 – Francesca Martinez
41. 1984– - Gareth Gates
42. 1985- - Maresa Mackeith
43. 1986- - Anthony Ford
Zephania
45. 1990 Bethany Hamilton
----------------------------------------------------------------
SHOCKING: Rivers University expels student for having “speech and hearing challenges”
-PremiumTimes
The student opened the letter she was clutching in her hands and felt the walls around her crumble.
As Jane Ottah stood outside her departmental office at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the reality of what she had just read began to gradually sink in.
“What I saw in the letter was the shock of my life,” said Ms. Ottah, 28, who was in her first year in the Department of Educational Foundation.
“This was a thing I will never believe, this was the one thing that could have taken away my life if it wasn’t for the help of my friends who were there when I was about to faint.”
On January 30, 2015, the university terminated Ms. Ottah’s admission over claims of speech and hearing challenges.
“I am directed to state that during your recent medical examination in the Health Services Department, it was observed that you are medically challenged and have hearing and speech difficulties,” read the letter signed by C.M Ewhorlu, Principal Assistant Registrar (Senate) of the university.
“I am further directed to state that as a result of these difficulties our team of medical personnel found it impossible to communicate with you.
“Since the University does not have special communication facilities, the Vice-Chancellor has directed that you be de-registered on health grounds. I am in the circumstance, directed to inform you that you have been de-registered on health grounds with immediate effect.
“You are therefore advised to hand over all University property(ies) in your possession to your Head of Department and thereafter leave the campus.”
A ‘Special’ Student?
Despite the university’s claims that she was a special student, Ms. Ottah insisted she had no such challenges.
After initially applying to study Business Administration at the university, Ms. Ottah was offered an admission to read Educational Foundations in September 2014.
When the school reopened a month later, she joined other fresh students for the admission formalities, which included a medical check-up at the institution’s medical centre.
“As soon as I went there and I was asked what is wrong with my voice, I told the doctor that I have a voice problem, that I can talk but at times my voice is somehow,” Ms. Ottah told PREMIUM TIMES during a Whatsapp chat.
“I was not with my hearing aid the day I went there., and she (the doctor) didn’t understand me very well but the other younger doctor was there as well who was asking me questions about what happened to my voice and I decided to tell her about my hearing problem as well.
“And she asked me some questions like how did it happened and I told her. She seemed to understand me a bit but the elder doctor didn’t.
“And she asked about my eyes just because I was putting on glasses. And I told her that I do have eyes problem and she checked my eyes and put it down on a book.
”And she asked me if I was sick as a kid because of my hearing loss. I told her no. It just happened in a way that one can’t tell.
“So she asked about my secondary school, if it was a deaf school. I told her no, it’s not a deaf school I went to.”
According to her West African Examination Council result made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Ms. Ottah finished from Hallel College in Rumuogba, Port Harcourt, with three distinctions and five credits.
At the university medical centre, Ms. Ottah said she overheard the doctors discussing the possibility of her coping with the academic rigours.
“From that day, nothing was bad. I was busy with assignment, project, test, and planning for my first semester exams in February,” she said.
The school went on Christmas break on December 22, 2014, and resumed on January 5th, 2015.
Everything seemed fine for Ms. Ottah.
Until the first semester examination began.
“On the first paper, there was a paper that the lecturer will give you to sign if your name is there, and if you see your name on the list you have to sign there and I did mine,” she said.
Ms. Ottah said she signed against her name during her second and third papers.
However, on the day of the fourth paper, trouble surfaced.
“I didn’t see my name on the list to sign and I was worried that I asked my course mate and she direct me to go to the ICT centre to check,” she said.
“I went there with two of my course mates and we were told that they couldn’t find my name on the list but my name was there and that they couldn’t see the course I requested, and I was told it was from the medical centre. They blocked me from there.
“And I went with my course mate and met with the doctor, crying with a shaky voice which made her not to understand what I was talking about and I decided to call my friend to speak on my behalf. For example, I will talk to her and she will tell them what I am saying.
”As soon as we were done talking, the doctor said she once one told me that day I was in her office that I should come the other day but I didn’t. I was so busy that I forget about it. She sent me to my Department Office.”
It was at the Department Office that a lady delivered the letter which bore the shattering news to Ms. Ottah.
“In school, no one ever knew about my hearing problem, it was just my voice they knew,” she said.
Embarrassed dad
Benedict Ottah, her father, described the letter as a “serious embarrassment”.
“I drove to the school, met the HOD, unfortunately, she didn’t attend to me in a way that she should,” Mr. Ottah told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone.
“And I put up a letter demanding her (his daughter’s) instant recall. They refused. All of a sudden the HOD sent me back to the Medical Board. Only to be informed by the Medical Board that I should write a letter to the VC.
“I later wrote a letter to the VC, copied the Medical Board, the HOD, and the registrar who wrote the letter.”
In his letter to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Ottah appealed for his daughter’s re-registration, noting that she had been taking her lectures and doing her class assignments without stress or complaints.
“I wish to state that on 2nd March, 2015, in the office of the HOD of Technical and Science Educational Foundations, Jane Ihuoma Ottah demonstrated clearly to the witness of the HOD her hearing and responding ability different from what was stated in the above letter,” Mr. Ottah wrote in the letter dated 2nd March, 2015.
“This demonstration was made possible while she wore her hearing aids. The same demonstration repeated again when she was referred to meet the Medical Director, Medical Services on same 2nd March 2015 in the office of the Medical Director himself.
“However, Jane Ihuoma Ottah did not attend the medical observation with her hearing, ear-aids the day she was scheduled. Furthermore, I wish the Medical Services may conduct another examination that she should be allowed to use her hearing aids. I am optimistic that this report will be put to rest.”
About two weeks after he wrote to the university, Mr. Ottah said he returned to the school only to be told by the head of her daughter’s department that the letter was “infuriating to her”.
”I told her what transpired in her office was exactly what I communicated, and then you are blaming me. All of a sudden she demanded that I should leave her office. Honestly I was seriously embarrassed,” he said.
“Only to go back to the VC secretary, I was being turned up, come back today, come back tomorrow. I ended up without no response up till date. They did not respond to my letter.
“The university has just denied her the opportunity to be in school. I know my daughter has a problem but she had every opportunity up till today.”
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Blessing Didia, said he had never heard of Ms. Ottah’s case.
“The matter happened in January as you said. I came from the University of Port Harcourt to become VC here in August,” Mr. Didia, a professor of medicine said. “This is the first time I have heard about the case.”
When asked whether he would review the case now that he is aware, Mr. Didia said, “They don’t admit deaf and dumb here. And if what you said really happened, the vice chancellor then must have seen reasons why she could not be taught here.”
Efforts to reach the school’s Registrar were unsuccessful and an e-mail sent to the school’s official mail address was not replied.
Ms. Ottah said she had remained at home since her dismissal – weeping over her misfortune and praying – while her friends are now in 200 level in the school.
“I never thought that Rivers State University of Science can send me away like this,” she said.
“Discrimination needs to stop. Everyone has the right to be educated no matter the conditions one is facing.”
The International Ford Fellowships Alumni Association Nigeria (IFFPAN), which first brought the student’s ordeal to the attention of this newspaper, has condemned the action of the University.
Speaking through its president, Faruk Sarkinfada, a professor, it said, “It is regrettable that a University in Nigeria in the 21st century can discriminate against any citizen on account of her disability.
“Her right to Education has been breached. The aspect of her life that must be telling her she is not wanted in our society will unfortunately impact negatively on her whole being.
“The university should review its decision and reinstate her, so that she can acquire tertiary education like her contemporaries.”i believe everything will work out well...
DISABLED PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE!
1. 569–475BC – Pythagoras
2. 100-44BC – Julius Caesar
3. 1608–1674 – Milton
4. 1755-1794 - George Couthon
5. 1770- 1827 – Ludwig van Beethoven
6. 1788-1824 - Lord Byron
7. 1809-1852 – Louis Braille
8. 1821-1881 – Dostoevsky
9. 1849-1908 – Tom Wiggins
10. 1864-1901 – Toulouse Lautrec
11. 1873-1956 – W.C.Handy
12. 1879-1955 – Albert Einstein
13. 1888-1945 – Franklin D. Roosevelt
14. 1880-1968 – Helen Keller
15. 1895-1965 – Dorothea Lange
16. 1907-1954 – Frida Kahlo
17. 1930- - Blind Boys of Alabama
18. 1932-1981 – Christy Brown
19. 1937-1979 – Paul Hunt
20. 1938- - Vic Finkelstien
21. 1939- - Anne Pridmore
22. 1942- - Stephen Hawking
23. 1945- - Itzhak Perlman
24. 1947- - David Blunkett
25. 1948- - Richard Rieser
26. 1950- - Stevie Wonder
27. 1950- - Micheline Mason
28. 1950- - Dr Paddy Ladd
29. 1953- - Nabil Shaban
30. 1959 – Jane Campbell
31. 1963 – Mat Fraser
32 1965- - Alison Lapper
33. 1966 - Evelyn Glennie
34. 1968 - Heather Mills
35. 1969 – Tanni Grey Thompson
36. 1972- - Ade Adepatian
37. 1974 - Julie Fernandez
38. 1980s - Direct Action Network
39. 1986- - Heart ‘n’ Soul Theatre
& Music Group
40. 1981 – Francesca Martinez
41. 1984– - Gareth Gates
42. 1985- - Maresa Mackeith
43. 1986- - Anthony Ford
Zephania
45. 1990 Bethany Hamilton
----------------------------------------------------------------
SHOCKING: Rivers University expels student for having “speech and hearing challenges”
-PremiumTimes
The student opened the letter she was clutching in her hands and felt the walls around her crumble.
As Jane Ottah stood outside her departmental office at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the reality of what she had just read began to gradually sink in.
“What I saw in the letter was the shock of my life,” said Ms. Ottah, 28, who was in her first year in the Department of Educational Foundation.
“This was a thing I will never believe, this was the one thing that could have taken away my life if it wasn’t for the help of my friends who were there when I was about to faint.”
On January 30, 2015, the university terminated Ms. Ottah’s admission over claims of speech and hearing challenges.
“I am directed to state that during your recent medical examination in the Health Services Department, it was observed that you are medically challenged and have hearing and speech difficulties,” read the letter signed by C.M Ewhorlu, Principal Assistant Registrar (Senate) of the university.
“I am further directed to state that as a result of these difficulties our team of medical personnel found it impossible to communicate with you.
“Since the University does not have special communication facilities, the Vice-Chancellor has directed that you be de-registered on health grounds. I am in the circumstance, directed to inform you that you have been de-registered on health grounds with immediate effect.
“You are therefore advised to hand over all University property(ies) in your possession to your Head of Department and thereafter leave the campus.”
A ‘Special’ Student?
Despite the university’s claims that she was a special student, Ms. Ottah insisted she had no such challenges.
After initially applying to study Business Administration at the university, Ms. Ottah was offered an admission to read Educational Foundations in September 2014.
When the school reopened a month later, she joined other fresh students for the admission formalities, which included a medical check-up at the institution’s medical centre.
“As soon as I went there and I was asked what is wrong with my voice, I told the doctor that I have a voice problem, that I can talk but at times my voice is somehow,” Ms. Ottah told PREMIUM TIMES during a Whatsapp chat.
“I was not with my hearing aid the day I went there., and she (the doctor) didn’t understand me very well but the other younger doctor was there as well who was asking me questions about what happened to my voice and I decided to tell her about my hearing problem as well.
“And she asked me some questions like how did it happened and I told her. She seemed to understand me a bit but the elder doctor didn’t.
“And she asked about my eyes just because I was putting on glasses. And I told her that I do have eyes problem and she checked my eyes and put it down on a book.
”And she asked me if I was sick as a kid because of my hearing loss. I told her no. It just happened in a way that one can’t tell.
“So she asked about my secondary school, if it was a deaf school. I told her no, it’s not a deaf school I went to.”
According to her West African Examination Council result made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Ms. Ottah finished from Hallel College in Rumuogba, Port Harcourt, with three distinctions and five credits.
At the university medical centre, Ms. Ottah said she overheard the doctors discussing the possibility of her coping with the academic rigours.
“From that day, nothing was bad. I was busy with assignment, project, test, and planning for my first semester exams in February,” she said.
The school went on Christmas break on December 22, 2014, and resumed on January 5th, 2015.
Everything seemed fine for Ms. Ottah.
Until the first semester examination began.
“On the first paper, there was a paper that the lecturer will give you to sign if your name is there, and if you see your name on the list you have to sign there and I did mine,” she said.
Ms. Ottah said she signed against her name during her second and third papers.
However, on the day of the fourth paper, trouble surfaced.
“I didn’t see my name on the list to sign and I was worried that I asked my course mate and she direct me to go to the ICT centre to check,” she said.
“I went there with two of my course mates and we were told that they couldn’t find my name on the list but my name was there and that they couldn’t see the course I requested, and I was told it was from the medical centre. They blocked me from there.
“And I went with my course mate and met with the doctor, crying with a shaky voice which made her not to understand what I was talking about and I decided to call my friend to speak on my behalf. For example, I will talk to her and she will tell them what I am saying.
”As soon as we were done talking, the doctor said she once one told me that day I was in her office that I should come the other day but I didn’t. I was so busy that I forget about it. She sent me to my Department Office.”
It was at the Department Office that a lady delivered the letter which bore the shattering news to Ms. Ottah.
“In school, no one ever knew about my hearing problem, it was just my voice they knew,” she said.
Embarrassed dad
Benedict Ottah, her father, described the letter as a “serious embarrassment”.
“I drove to the school, met the HOD, unfortunately, she didn’t attend to me in a way that she should,” Mr. Ottah told PREMIUM TIMES over the telephone.
“And I put up a letter demanding her (his daughter’s) instant recall. They refused. All of a sudden the HOD sent me back to the Medical Board. Only to be informed by the Medical Board that I should write a letter to the VC.
“I later wrote a letter to the VC, copied the Medical Board, the HOD, and the registrar who wrote the letter.”
In his letter to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Ottah appealed for his daughter’s re-registration, noting that she had been taking her lectures and doing her class assignments without stress or complaints.
“I wish to state that on 2nd March, 2015, in the office of the HOD of Technical and Science Educational Foundations, Jane Ihuoma Ottah demonstrated clearly to the witness of the HOD her hearing and responding ability different from what was stated in the above letter,” Mr. Ottah wrote in the letter dated 2nd March, 2015.
“This demonstration was made possible while she wore her hearing aids. The same demonstration repeated again when she was referred to meet the Medical Director, Medical Services on same 2nd March 2015 in the office of the Medical Director himself.
“However, Jane Ihuoma Ottah did not attend the medical observation with her hearing, ear-aids the day she was scheduled. Furthermore, I wish the Medical Services may conduct another examination that she should be allowed to use her hearing aids. I am optimistic that this report will be put to rest.”
About two weeks after he wrote to the university, Mr. Ottah said he returned to the school only to be told by the head of her daughter’s department that the letter was “infuriating to her”.
”I told her what transpired in her office was exactly what I communicated, and then you are blaming me. All of a sudden she demanded that I should leave her office. Honestly I was seriously embarrassed,” he said.
“Only to go back to the VC secretary, I was being turned up, come back today, come back tomorrow. I ended up without no response up till date. They did not respond to my letter.
“The university has just denied her the opportunity to be in school. I know my daughter has a problem but she had every opportunity up till today.”
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Blessing Didia, said he had never heard of Ms. Ottah’s case.
“The matter happened in January as you said. I came from the University of Port Harcourt to become VC here in August,” Mr. Didia, a professor of medicine said. “This is the first time I have heard about the case.”
When asked whether he would review the case now that he is aware, Mr. Didia said, “They don’t admit deaf and dumb here. And if what you said really happened, the vice chancellor then must have seen reasons why she could not be taught here.”
Efforts to reach the school’s Registrar were unsuccessful and an e-mail sent to the school’s official mail address was not replied.
Ms. Ottah said she had remained at home since her dismissal – weeping over her misfortune and praying – while her friends are now in 200 level in the school.
“I never thought that Rivers State University of Science can send me away like this,” she said.
“Discrimination needs to stop. Everyone has the right to be educated no matter the conditions one is facing.”
The International Ford Fellowships Alumni Association Nigeria (IFFPAN), which first brought the student’s ordeal to the attention of this newspaper, has condemned the action of the University.
Speaking through its president, Faruk Sarkinfada, a professor, it said, “It is regrettable that a University in Nigeria in the 21st century can discriminate against any citizen on account of her disability.
“Her right to Education has been breached. The aspect of her life that must be telling her she is not wanted in our society will unfortunately impact negatively on her whole being.
“The university should review its decision and reinstate her, so that she can acquire tertiary education like her contemporaries.”i believe everything will work out well...
Friday, 4 December 2015
FG to facilitate passage of Disability Bill
By NAN on December 3, 2015 5:36 pm
Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, the Minister of Women Affairs
and Social Development, on Thursday, said Federal
Government was working toward actualising the passage of
the Nigerian Disability Bill.
She made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday at an event
to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
with the theme “Inclusion Matters: Access and
Empowerment for people of All Abilities.’’
The theme was geared towards empowering people with
disability as part of maintaining the sustainable development
goal agenda.
She said disability was one of the major challenges that
continually threatened human existence and the attainment
of meaningful development, noting that marking the day
was a wakeup call toward ensuring domestication of the law
in Nigeria.
She explained that the UN conventions on the rights of
persons with Disabilities by Nigeria in 2007 and 2010 were
geared toward the development, care and welfare of persons
with disabilities.
The minister also said that the aim of the call was to awaken
UN member states toward encouraging and promoting
activities that would ensure interaction, mainstreaming and
empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“It was also meant to promote the understanding of
disability issues and stimulate support for dignity,
empowerment, among others.
She then urged the society to assist and empower people
with disabilities, especially in the areas of job creation,
health, nutrition, education as well as social protection.
She said “it is only when people are empowered that they
can prepare to take advantage of opportunities and become
agents of change and can more readily embrace their civic
responsibilities.’’
Mrs Binta Bello, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Women Affairs and Social Development, said the objective
of the day was to create awareness, promote understanding
of disability issues and mobilise support for dignity and
rights of persons with disabilities.
Bello, who gave an estimated number of 19 million
Nigerians living with disabilities, noted that it was an area
that must be given adequate attention.
The permanent secretary urged stakeholders to work out
plans toward meeting the needs of such persons, adding that
budgetary allocations could not shoulder all their needs.
She called for advocacy, sponsorship of public
enlightenment workshops on the plight of persons with
disabilities, as well as capacity building in information
technology, among others.
“It is also important to provide some of them with braille
presses/libraries with modern braille gadgets and get
sponsored for economic empowerment programmes.’’
She said the Ministry of Women Affairs had recruited some
persons with disabilities into Federal Civil Service and had
created disability desks in the office of the head of civil
service of the federation, among others.
She urged the private sector and other stakeholders to key
into the ministry’s programmes to guarantee the rights and
privileges and ensure an enabling environment for persons
with disabilities.
Mr Dennis Okoro , the Director, MTN Foundation, said
taking care of persons with disabilities was part of the
sustainable development goals.
He said MTN Foundation had given scholarships to 421
blind students to any school of their choice to empower
them and paid N200,000 tuition fees per session to some
disabled students.
He said the Foundation had committed N120 million to the
scheme with the aim of supporting their education.
Mr David Anyale, the Executive Director, Centre for
Citizens with Disabilities, urgedthe Federal Government to
pass into law the Disability Bill.
He said “whenever a part of a person’s body is lost, money,
economic, as well as social status is lost.”
He also urged the Federal Government to evolve measures
in the areas of transportation, information, communication
to assist such persons.
By NAN on December 3, 2015 5:36 pm
Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, the Minister of Women Affairs
and Social Development, on Thursday, said Federal
Government was working toward actualising the passage of
the Nigerian Disability Bill.
She made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday at an event
to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
with the theme “Inclusion Matters: Access and
Empowerment for people of All Abilities.’’
The theme was geared towards empowering people with
disability as part of maintaining the sustainable development
goal agenda.
She said disability was one of the major challenges that
continually threatened human existence and the attainment
of meaningful development, noting that marking the day
was a wakeup call toward ensuring domestication of the law
in Nigeria.
She explained that the UN conventions on the rights of
persons with Disabilities by Nigeria in 2007 and 2010 were
geared toward the development, care and welfare of persons
with disabilities.
The minister also said that the aim of the call was to awaken
UN member states toward encouraging and promoting
activities that would ensure interaction, mainstreaming and
empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“It was also meant to promote the understanding of
disability issues and stimulate support for dignity,
empowerment, among others.
She then urged the society to assist and empower people
with disabilities, especially in the areas of job creation,
health, nutrition, education as well as social protection.
She said “it is only when people are empowered that they
can prepare to take advantage of opportunities and become
agents of change and can more readily embrace their civic
responsibilities.’’
Mrs Binta Bello, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Women Affairs and Social Development, said the objective
of the day was to create awareness, promote understanding
of disability issues and mobilise support for dignity and
rights of persons with disabilities.
Bello, who gave an estimated number of 19 million
Nigerians living with disabilities, noted that it was an area
that must be given adequate attention.
The permanent secretary urged stakeholders to work out
plans toward meeting the needs of such persons, adding that
budgetary allocations could not shoulder all their needs.
She called for advocacy, sponsorship of public
enlightenment workshops on the plight of persons with
disabilities, as well as capacity building in information
technology, among others.
“It is also important to provide some of them with braille
presses/libraries with modern braille gadgets and get
sponsored for economic empowerment programmes.’’
She said the Ministry of Women Affairs had recruited some
persons with disabilities into Federal Civil Service and had
created disability desks in the office of the head of civil
service of the federation, among others.
She urged the private sector and other stakeholders to key
into the ministry’s programmes to guarantee the rights and
privileges and ensure an enabling environment for persons
with disabilities.
Mr Dennis Okoro , the Director, MTN Foundation, said
taking care of persons with disabilities was part of the
sustainable development goals.
He said MTN Foundation had given scholarships to 421
blind students to any school of their choice to empower
them and paid N200,000 tuition fees per session to some
disabled students.
He said the Foundation had committed N120 million to the
scheme with the aim of supporting their education.
Mr David Anyale, the Executive Director, Centre for
Citizens with Disabilities, urgedthe Federal Government to
pass into law the Disability Bill.
He said “whenever a part of a person’s body is lost, money,
economic, as well as social status is lost.”
He also urged the Federal Government to evolve measures
in the areas of transportation, information, communication
to assist such persons.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
My people be very careful these days. This
happened to me yesterday night when I returned
home from owerri. My face oooooooh. I can't
believe what just happened to me. Wonders shall
never cease to end. I was standing in front of the
entrance of my house, about opening the door so
as to go in, then one woman came and told me
that she knew me, that she has met me before.
So I was like I can't recall where and when I met
you, anyways please remind me. Then the woman
said she that she had met in conference in Asaba
Delta state, in February to be precisely....Oooops!
Madam I was in Accra-Ghana all through
February to April...that was my reply. Before I
could complete the statement, I heard "TAWAI-
TAWAI", a very hot slap on my face, if the
temperature of the slap was to be measured, it
will be around 200•c. I felt so confused, at first I
thought it was coming from a military man, I
looked behind her to see if there was another
person, but there was none. I tried to ask her
what I've done, I was trying to apologise, sorry
ma for not recalling your name. 'Tawaii!, the hot
slap came to the second one! I couldn't bear it
anylonger, I regretted not releasing my dogs in the
morning. I held the stupid woman's hair and
started pulling it as I'm pulling your leg now......
Kaaaiiii, una too like gist ooooo, see as una dey
serious dey read am....just wanted to say good
Afternoon
We shall all witness 2016 in happy
mood.
happened to me yesterday night when I returned
home from owerri. My face oooooooh. I can't
believe what just happened to me. Wonders shall
never cease to end. I was standing in front of the
entrance of my house, about opening the door so
as to go in, then one woman came and told me
that she knew me, that she has met me before.
So I was like I can't recall where and when I met
you, anyways please remind me. Then the woman
said she that she had met in conference in Asaba
Delta state, in February to be precisely....Oooops!
Madam I was in Accra-Ghana all through
February to April...that was my reply. Before I
could complete the statement, I heard "TAWAI-
TAWAI", a very hot slap on my face, if the
temperature of the slap was to be measured, it
will be around 200•c. I felt so confused, at first I
thought it was coming from a military man, I
looked behind her to see if there was another
person, but there was none. I tried to ask her
what I've done, I was trying to apologise, sorry
ma for not recalling your name. 'Tawaii!, the hot
slap came to the second one! I couldn't bear it
anylonger, I regretted not releasing my dogs in the
morning. I held the stupid woman's hair and
started pulling it as I'm pulling your leg now......
Kaaaiiii, una too like gist ooooo, see as una dey
serious dey read am....just wanted to say good
Afternoon
We shall all witness 2016 in happy
mood.
My people be very careful these days. This
happened to me yesterday night when I returned
home from owerri. My face oooooooh. I can't
believe what just happened to me. Wonders shall
never cease to end. I was standing in front of the
entrance of my house, about opening the door so
as to go in, then one woman came and told me
that she knew me, that she has met me before.
So I was like I can't recall where and when I met
you, anyways please remind me. Then the woman
said she that she had met in conference in Asaba
Delta state, in February to be precisely....Oooops!
Madam I was in Accra-Ghana all through
February to April...that was my reply. Before I
could complete the statement, I heard "TAWAI-
TAWAI", a very hot slap on my face, if the
temperature of the slap was to be measured, it
will be around 200•c. I felt so confused, at first I
thought it was coming from a military man, I
looked behind her to see if there was another
person, but there was none. I tried to ask her
what I've done, I was trying to apologise, sorry
ma for not recalling your name. 'Tawaii!, the hot
slap came to the second one! I couldn't bear it
anylonger, I regretted not releasing my dogs in the
morning. I held the stupid woman's hair and
started pulling it as I'm pulling your leg now......
Kaaaiiii, una too like gist ooooo, see as una dey
serious dey read am....just wanted to say good
Afternoon
We shall all witness 2016 in happy
mood.
happened to me yesterday night when I returned
home from owerri. My face oooooooh. I can't
believe what just happened to me. Wonders shall
never cease to end. I was standing in front of the
entrance of my house, about opening the door so
as to go in, then one woman came and told me
that she knew me, that she has met me before.
So I was like I can't recall where and when I met
you, anyways please remind me. Then the woman
said she that she had met in conference in Asaba
Delta state, in February to be precisely....Oooops!
Madam I was in Accra-Ghana all through
February to April...that was my reply. Before I
could complete the statement, I heard "TAWAI-
TAWAI", a very hot slap on my face, if the
temperature of the slap was to be measured, it
will be around 200•c. I felt so confused, at first I
thought it was coming from a military man, I
looked behind her to see if there was another
person, but there was none. I tried to ask her
what I've done, I was trying to apologise, sorry
ma for not recalling your name. 'Tawaii!, the hot
slap came to the second one! I couldn't bear it
anylonger, I regretted not releasing my dogs in the
morning. I held the stupid woman's hair and
started pulling it as I'm pulling your leg now......
Kaaaiiii, una too like gist ooooo, see as una dey
serious dey read am....just wanted to say good
Afternoon
We shall all witness 2016 in happy
mood.
The disability Bill scaled sending reading in Senate Wednesday.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) seeks to
ensure full integration of persons with disability into the larger society.
It made provision for the education, health care and protection of the
social, economic and civil rights of persons with disability.
Alimikhena in his lead debate quoted Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution
which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the
primary purpose of government.
He noted that disability abounds everywhere, from north to south and from
west to east.
The lawmaker said that the bitter truth is that the Senate cannot afford to
be disinterested in the matter because disability may occur at any time in
a man’s life either congenitally, through accident or even by natural
development as one attains old age.
He asked the Senate to commend the efforts of the 6 and 7 National
Assembly which culminated in the passage of the disability Bill but
unfortunately did not receive presidential assent.
He said that passage of the Bill is the surest and most potent way of
ensuring compliance with international best practices in the treatment and
relation with persons living with disability.
Alimikhena who quoted the World Health Organisation, said that 20 million
Nigerians are living with disability which makes them the largest minority
group in the country.
He said, “They have the highest rate of unemployment, poverty and have
the lowest level of educaeducationaltion among any minority group.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) seeks to
ensure full integration of persons with disability into the larger society.
It made provision for the education, health care and protection of the
social, economic and civil rights of persons with disability.
Alimikhena in his lead debate quoted Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution
which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the
primary purpose of government.
He noted that disability abounds everywhere, from north to south and from
west to east.
The lawmaker said that the bitter truth is that the Senate cannot afford to
be disinterested in the matter because disability may occur at any time in
a man’s life either congenitally, through accident or even by natural
development as one attains old age.
He asked the Senate to commend the efforts of the 6 and 7 National
Assembly which culminated in the passage of the disability Bill but
unfortunately did not receive presidential assent.
He said that passage of the Bill is the surest and most potent way of
ensuring compliance with international best practices in the treatment and
relation with persons living with disability.
Alimikhena who quoted the World Health Organisation, said that 20 million
Nigerians are living with disability which makes them the largest minority
group in the country.
He said, “They have the highest rate of unemployment, poverty and have
the lowest level of educaeducationaltion among any minority group.
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
Who say the deaf can't do it all...
Silent stories of a deaf actor
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Ever witnessed a play by a group of deaf actors? This was the spectacle recently at a live drama performance in Lagos by Magic Finger Entertainment, a group of deaf actors and actresses doing the hitherto unthinkable. Just how do they manage to achieve this feat? Yetunde Oladeinde caught up with the team leader and originator, Richard Ezekiel, an energetic, never-say-die actor who sees no barriers. Through an interpreter Ezekiel spoke of his silent world, challenges, memorable moments and early life.
For me, every day is interesting. The first thing I do when I wake up is to replenish, go for a walk and then go straight to my laptop to check and reply emails. There I confirm appointments, which include rehearsal appointments; I also chat, do indoor planning and research. At other times, I just read stuff and engage in occasional creative writing.
One basic challenge I have with the computer however is the abbreviations and special codes.
On the road, it is a different thing entirely because I have had to master how conductors pronounce different destinations especially in Lagos. Most times our conductors call bus-stops as if they have hot moimoi (bean cake) in their mouths. This also poses a challenge when one wants to flag down an okada (bike), or board a vehicle during rush hours; and when I am on board, what I do is type out where I am going on my phone to a passenger. Sometimes, you get understanding people to help, but most times it is vice versa. But in spite of everything, life has been fun and very challenging. But then Challenge is a bus-stop in Ibadan, where I was born and bred.
My advent into acting
My flair for acting is purely in-born. As a kid, my dad didn’t provide television at home even though he could afford it. So my brother and I used to sneak into our neighbour’s living room to watch TV, and always got serious lashing if we got caught. Luckily the primary school I attended, God’s Grace Nursery and Primary School and my secondary school, Monatan High School both in Ibadan gave me opportunities to act during end of the year parties. I later joined the school literary and debating society.
My mum also sings cultural songs a lot and that encouraged us to be active in church drama and choir. When I lost my hearing and switched to Methodist Grammar School Deaf Unit later in 2001, I was in social science and my subjects were limited. So I had to focus on learning sign language and adapting to the deaf culture. It was not easy at first; it took me a decade to finally accept that this is who I am and there are certain things in life that we can’t change. But if you are determined, then you can manage the situation properly.
After secondary school, I always visited my friends who were then freshers at the University of Ibadan. They lived in Kuti Hall, which was so close to the Theatre Arts Department; so, often, when they went to class and I couldn’t follow them, the department of Theatre Arts was where I was attracted to. There I read several write ups on the notice board and also used the opportunity to scout for auditions that I could attend.
Initially, it was tough but in the long run, I auditioned for a stage production and it was successful. Luckily an interpreter friend of mine Friday Azanor, was also casted in the production, which comprised mostly students of the department. I was in rehearsal and when it was my turn to block, Friday will interpret for me and I was given a role as a best friend of the lead character and as a deaf.
During one of the rehearsals, Dr. Remi Ademola Adedokun was there to criticise the work as they normally did; thereafter he asked about my background and invited me to his office.
For weeks, I was scared and thought I had broken some school rules and was afraid I’d be humiliated. I became sick with fear that I was going to be cut off from something that made me happy and left for home. But Friday kept telling me they were asking after me, so I went back and met Dr. Adedokun whom I came to understand was the HOD. He asked me ‘Why don’t you apply for Diploma through UI DLC?’
Like a hormone-driven adolescent, I rushed to get the form and enrolled for the 2006/2007 session as the only deaf student in the Theatre Arts Department, University of Ibadan and without an interpreter. I still hold that record till today. However, this was one of the most challenging years of my life, as I had to lip-read and take notes. All my classmates and lecturers were aware of my deafness, but that didn’t earn me any preferential treatment or sympathy.
My lecturer and mentor, Dr. Tunde Awosanmi, who also casted me in most of his productions always asked me why I was in the department when I knew I couldn’t cope. Whenever I told him I couldn’t do something, he would challenge me to get it done or carry-over the course. And since all eyes were on me both by the deaf students who believed I would be booted out of the department in time and my colleagues, who always wondered how I coped, I always ended up doing things even I didn’t believe I could do and got applauded. Now, anytime I look back at the situation and how everyone in the department took me like a brother and encouraged me to challenge myself, I’m just full of gratitude.
I am also the only deaf person in the drama department of TREM (Vision House) in Utako, Abuja, where I also acted and have an amazing group.
I have acted in so many stage plays that I have even lost count. I even played the lead role in Shakespeare’s play more than once and got a standing ovation. Since then, there has been no going back and I just keep pushing and doing what’s expected of me; and the more I do the thing I love, the more I realised I can do better, and the more I unleash my potentials. In trying to surpass my own expectation, success for me becomes a habit and old habits die hard.
Tell us about Magic Finger Entertainment?
Magic Finger Entertainment Productions was approved in July 2014 as a registered company and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation same year. And since then there has been no going back. Entrepreneurs with no special needs will tell you things are not easy, you can then imagine what entrepreneur with Special needs like me would be going through.
I choose the name Magic Finger because of how deaf people move our hands when communicating. Our Sign Language is a beautiful art and very fascinating. Hearing people who understand sign language will attest to this. I also think the name fits because it is a deaf-owned business and our focus is also to put the deaf individual in a better light where entertainment is concerned by encouraging and working with those interested in showcasing their special talents to the world.
Rough road to fruition
I always wanted to own my business and be financially independent, because I don’t believe everyone must wake up, wear suit and tie and go to a job expecting salary. My dad owned a catering business, he included our names to fill key positions even when all we did was just to count money, clear the table and wash plates. Then during my years at the University of Ibadan, I decided to add Theatre Management in my final year as a major, I was also opportune to go with student troupes who were already managing their own entertainment company successfully. Along the line I got little theatre contracts here and there, but my clients always asked if I was registered with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). I told my dad about it, but the process he reeled out put me off. After school, I went to Abuja for the first time in 2010 and joined Silent Afro-Mime Troupe owned by another deaf man. There I learnt on the job for a few months and then returned to Ibadan with intention to further my education. Unfortunately, that didn’t click and I got stuck in Ibadan.
During that interval, I was contacted by the president of Speech Pathologist and Audiologist Association of Nigeria through a friend in the Special Education Department to prepare drama interludes for their upcoming conference. There and then, I decided to start focusing on alternative communicating form of entertainment, something to put people with special needs, most especially the deaf in good light, as against all the stereotypes out there. I discovered there was almost no entertainment outfit in the country doing anything like that.
Before Magic Finger Group, we had operated by different other names. Last year after working for a few months in a hotel in Abuja as a House Keeper, I was able to raise some money and decided it was time to get registered. I met a lawyer who guided me through the registration process. He was very amazed to meet a deaf person who wanted to do business registration.
Deafness not a barrier?
I would say that being deaf is not a barrier to creativity. In fact, Sign Language has proven that. If you don’t understand me, visit a deaf church and watch the choir sing in Sign Language. You will understand exactly where choreography evolved from. Magic Finger is using Sign Language to command attention through the aid of the whole body and majorly the hand to ‘magically’ express and dispense information to the anxious audience in an entertaining way.
Major projects we have undertaken
I have been directly and indirectly involved in a lot of projects, especially stage productions. I have also done lots of ‘waka pass’ roles. I recently played a role in a yet-to-be-released movie produced by Peculiar Communications. I am still working hard on my skills and learning on the job with every production. I am trying to expand my horizon in the field of entertainment to be able to one day say ‘I am a producer;’ and also to be able to thrive and bloom with my knowledge in the Arts.
Major challenges faced
You may be surprised if I tell you that my number one challenge is money. We wake up every day and go about our business because we want to make money to fulfill our needs and pay our bills.
I have escaped being hit by cars and bikes without headlights at nights. I have been insulted when I went to follow-up on proposals and the secretary not knowing my mission, took me for a beggar and offered me 10 naira. I have had people laugh and made jest of me because of my situation, but if I keep thinking about that, I would still remain in my shell. I’ve got lots of plans and things I want to do, but money is a big issue – to eat, to move, to cloth, to go to hospital, to be in a relationship and to be responsible. Money is not everything but it is part of everything.
In a few weeks, I’d be going on internship with a deaf theatre company in Europe, Sweden to be precise, where I hope to learn and work for a month. I am presently running around for sponsorship to make that a reality for me and my interpreter. Whatever I learn will be impacted on other deaf people when I return. My admission after five years of trying to further through Distant Education is also there and that means money too.
One other problem is that of harassment by law enforcement agencies and security operatives, who’ll deny you of entrance into important places just because you are deaf. To them, once you have a disability, then you have come to ask for financial assistance. I have missed a lot of appointments because I had to spend time in police stations and police vehicles trying to explain myself.
Memorable moments on the job
My first major stage performance outside Ibadan was when I was cast in Wole Soyinka’s KONGIS HARVEST as directed by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi and we went to perform at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. That night, the hall was jam-packed with who is who in Abeokuta since it was a command performance for Prof. Wole Soyinka’s birthday celebration. After the performance, Yemi Shodimu shook hands with all of us; as he was trying to tell me something, one of the casts quickly informed him that I am a deaf and he instantly became speechless and was just staring at me.
A few years later, we took the same performance to Yar’Adua centre in Abuja and it was filled with beautiful memories. On our way back, it was late and we had to park our buses inside Federal College of Education at Okene. Because we couldn’t find a place to sleep, we decided to start a gyration that ultimately woke up all the students. That night was mad fun!
There was also the production of IBOJI OKU, the Yoruba adaptation of Solomon Iguanres THE GRAVE ENCOUNTER, directed by Abraham Oladipupo. I was casted roles with very long speech that a lot of my casts started doubting if I was indeed a deaf. I wanted to give up that rehearsal because at every moment, someone would correct my pronunciation and I got really tired; but the director wouldn’t have any of that. I must say my time at University of Ibadan really taught me a lot about discipline, timing, focus and staying true to the course, as the show must go on!
I was also fortunate to attend a dance workshop organised by Mr. Qudus Onikeeku of QDance Centre, where we had the dance maestro, Ijodee in attendance. You can imagine what I learnt in two weeks with these dance professionals. There was also an occasion in my final year at the university when my group adopted one of my short film scripts for shooting in our project work, and on set, the director had to come to me occasionally to ask for understanding of some scenes and in the end we got good grades. Life at UI contributed a lot to what I am today and where I am going. I am proud to be an alumnus of Recte Sapere Fons.
Life as a deaf activist
I moderate Deaf World, a WhatsApp forum and also serve a ‘gateman’ for another forum that discusses matters relating to deaf advancement in Africa. I am a Special Adviser to the Excos of Ikotun Deaf Development Association in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos. Currently, I am also PRO for Deaf Resources Centre, Nigeria. I was among those who pioneered NUDSA (National union of deaf Students Association in University of Ibadan, and I am an entertainment consultant and youth leader for NNAD (Nigerian National Association of the Deaf) at national level. It’s not really easy doing all these but I am always pushing myself to the limits for whatever cause I believe in.
My other fancies
I read a lot. I also try to be creative by writing; I have a few uncompleted works from prose to drama and screenplay that I have been working on for years. I am a composer too and I look forward to having a collabo with any singer someday by giving them my work. All I do in the music video is sing along using sign language and dance because having had the opportunity of living in the two worlds, the deaf and hearing, I don’t believe music is music until I see deaf people grooving successfully to its beats and lyrics. This can be achieved by a hard danceable beat and sign language in music videos and I look forward to experimenting with it someday. Note that I used to be a juvenile choir leader in church; I lost my hearing prior to my transfer to the main choir. I strongly believe it is normal to be different. I spend time online too looking to network with people on the international level most especially deaf entertainment practitioners. I also read a lot about business management, African History, entertainment and politics. And occasionally when I have the chance, I engage in sport. I play soccer, walk soccer and I swim as a hobby.
My family, my pillar of support
They have been very supportive to the best of their capabilities. Being a first child comes with its own challenges. Through thick and thin we keep walking. Family is important to me because at the end of the day, they are the ones by your side. It got to a point my parents realised that I have my own dreams and they just had to let me be. Today, they keep reminding me how very proud they are of me. Aside my blood family, I also have some wonderful people who today consider me as family.
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Ever witnessed a play by a group of deaf actors? This was the spectacle recently at a live drama performance in Lagos by Magic Finger Entertainment, a group of deaf actors and actresses doing the hitherto unthinkable. Just how do they manage to achieve this feat? Yetunde Oladeinde caught up with the team leader and originator, Richard Ezekiel, an energetic, never-say-die actor who sees no barriers. Through an interpreter Ezekiel spoke of his silent world, challenges, memorable moments and early life.
For me, every day is interesting. The first thing I do when I wake up is to replenish, go for a walk and then go straight to my laptop to check and reply emails. There I confirm appointments, which include rehearsal appointments; I also chat, do indoor planning and research. At other times, I just read stuff and engage in occasional creative writing.
One basic challenge I have with the computer however is the abbreviations and special codes.
On the road, it is a different thing entirely because I have had to master how conductors pronounce different destinations especially in Lagos. Most times our conductors call bus-stops as if they have hot moimoi (bean cake) in their mouths. This also poses a challenge when one wants to flag down an okada (bike), or board a vehicle during rush hours; and when I am on board, what I do is type out where I am going on my phone to a passenger. Sometimes, you get understanding people to help, but most times it is vice versa. But in spite of everything, life has been fun and very challenging. But then Challenge is a bus-stop in Ibadan, where I was born and bred.
My advent into acting
My flair for acting is purely in-born. As a kid, my dad didn’t provide television at home even though he could afford it. So my brother and I used to sneak into our neighbour’s living room to watch TV, and always got serious lashing if we got caught. Luckily the primary school I attended, God’s Grace Nursery and Primary School and my secondary school, Monatan High School both in Ibadan gave me opportunities to act during end of the year parties. I later joined the school literary and debating society.
My mum also sings cultural songs a lot and that encouraged us to be active in church drama and choir. When I lost my hearing and switched to Methodist Grammar School Deaf Unit later in 2001, I was in social science and my subjects were limited. So I had to focus on learning sign language and adapting to the deaf culture. It was not easy at first; it took me a decade to finally accept that this is who I am and there are certain things in life that we can’t change. But if you are determined, then you can manage the situation properly.
After secondary school, I always visited my friends who were then freshers at the University of Ibadan. They lived in Kuti Hall, which was so close to the Theatre Arts Department; so, often, when they went to class and I couldn’t follow them, the department of Theatre Arts was where I was attracted to. There I read several write ups on the notice board and also used the opportunity to scout for auditions that I could attend.
Initially, it was tough but in the long run, I auditioned for a stage production and it was successful. Luckily an interpreter friend of mine Friday Azanor, was also casted in the production, which comprised mostly students of the department. I was in rehearsal and when it was my turn to block, Friday will interpret for me and I was given a role as a best friend of the lead character and as a deaf.
During one of the rehearsals, Dr. Remi Ademola Adedokun was there to criticise the work as they normally did; thereafter he asked about my background and invited me to his office.
For weeks, I was scared and thought I had broken some school rules and was afraid I’d be humiliated. I became sick with fear that I was going to be cut off from something that made me happy and left for home. But Friday kept telling me they were asking after me, so I went back and met Dr. Adedokun whom I came to understand was the HOD. He asked me ‘Why don’t you apply for Diploma through UI DLC?’
Like a hormone-driven adolescent, I rushed to get the form and enrolled for the 2006/2007 session as the only deaf student in the Theatre Arts Department, University of Ibadan and without an interpreter. I still hold that record till today. However, this was one of the most challenging years of my life, as I had to lip-read and take notes. All my classmates and lecturers were aware of my deafness, but that didn’t earn me any preferential treatment or sympathy.
My lecturer and mentor, Dr. Tunde Awosanmi, who also casted me in most of his productions always asked me why I was in the department when I knew I couldn’t cope. Whenever I told him I couldn’t do something, he would challenge me to get it done or carry-over the course. And since all eyes were on me both by the deaf students who believed I would be booted out of the department in time and my colleagues, who always wondered how I coped, I always ended up doing things even I didn’t believe I could do and got applauded. Now, anytime I look back at the situation and how everyone in the department took me like a brother and encouraged me to challenge myself, I’m just full of gratitude.
I am also the only deaf person in the drama department of TREM (Vision House) in Utako, Abuja, where I also acted and have an amazing group.
I have acted in so many stage plays that I have even lost count. I even played the lead role in Shakespeare’s play more than once and got a standing ovation. Since then, there has been no going back and I just keep pushing and doing what’s expected of me; and the more I do the thing I love, the more I realised I can do better, and the more I unleash my potentials. In trying to surpass my own expectation, success for me becomes a habit and old habits die hard.
Tell us about Magic Finger Entertainment?
Magic Finger Entertainment Productions was approved in July 2014 as a registered company and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation same year. And since then there has been no going back. Entrepreneurs with no special needs will tell you things are not easy, you can then imagine what entrepreneur with Special needs like me would be going through.
I choose the name Magic Finger because of how deaf people move our hands when communicating. Our Sign Language is a beautiful art and very fascinating. Hearing people who understand sign language will attest to this. I also think the name fits because it is a deaf-owned business and our focus is also to put the deaf individual in a better light where entertainment is concerned by encouraging and working with those interested in showcasing their special talents to the world.
Rough road to fruition
I always wanted to own my business and be financially independent, because I don’t believe everyone must wake up, wear suit and tie and go to a job expecting salary. My dad owned a catering business, he included our names to fill key positions even when all we did was just to count money, clear the table and wash plates. Then during my years at the University of Ibadan, I decided to add Theatre Management in my final year as a major, I was also opportune to go with student troupes who were already managing their own entertainment company successfully. Along the line I got little theatre contracts here and there, but my clients always asked if I was registered with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). I told my dad about it, but the process he reeled out put me off. After school, I went to Abuja for the first time in 2010 and joined Silent Afro-Mime Troupe owned by another deaf man. There I learnt on the job for a few months and then returned to Ibadan with intention to further my education. Unfortunately, that didn’t click and I got stuck in Ibadan.
During that interval, I was contacted by the president of Speech Pathologist and Audiologist Association of Nigeria through a friend in the Special Education Department to prepare drama interludes for their upcoming conference. There and then, I decided to start focusing on alternative communicating form of entertainment, something to put people with special needs, most especially the deaf in good light, as against all the stereotypes out there. I discovered there was almost no entertainment outfit in the country doing anything like that.
Before Magic Finger Group, we had operated by different other names. Last year after working for a few months in a hotel in Abuja as a House Keeper, I was able to raise some money and decided it was time to get registered. I met a lawyer who guided me through the registration process. He was very amazed to meet a deaf person who wanted to do business registration.
Deafness not a barrier?
I would say that being deaf is not a barrier to creativity. In fact, Sign Language has proven that. If you don’t understand me, visit a deaf church and watch the choir sing in Sign Language. You will understand exactly where choreography evolved from. Magic Finger is using Sign Language to command attention through the aid of the whole body and majorly the hand to ‘magically’ express and dispense information to the anxious audience in an entertaining way.
Major projects we have undertaken
I have been directly and indirectly involved in a lot of projects, especially stage productions. I have also done lots of ‘waka pass’ roles. I recently played a role in a yet-to-be-released movie produced by Peculiar Communications. I am still working hard on my skills and learning on the job with every production. I am trying to expand my horizon in the field of entertainment to be able to one day say ‘I am a producer;’ and also to be able to thrive and bloom with my knowledge in the Arts.
Major challenges faced
You may be surprised if I tell you that my number one challenge is money. We wake up every day and go about our business because we want to make money to fulfill our needs and pay our bills.
I have escaped being hit by cars and bikes without headlights at nights. I have been insulted when I went to follow-up on proposals and the secretary not knowing my mission, took me for a beggar and offered me 10 naira. I have had people laugh and made jest of me because of my situation, but if I keep thinking about that, I would still remain in my shell. I’ve got lots of plans and things I want to do, but money is a big issue – to eat, to move, to cloth, to go to hospital, to be in a relationship and to be responsible. Money is not everything but it is part of everything.
In a few weeks, I’d be going on internship with a deaf theatre company in Europe, Sweden to be precise, where I hope to learn and work for a month. I am presently running around for sponsorship to make that a reality for me and my interpreter. Whatever I learn will be impacted on other deaf people when I return. My admission after five years of trying to further through Distant Education is also there and that means money too.
One other problem is that of harassment by law enforcement agencies and security operatives, who’ll deny you of entrance into important places just because you are deaf. To them, once you have a disability, then you have come to ask for financial assistance. I have missed a lot of appointments because I had to spend time in police stations and police vehicles trying to explain myself.
Memorable moments on the job
My first major stage performance outside Ibadan was when I was cast in Wole Soyinka’s KONGIS HARVEST as directed by Dr. Tunde Awosanmi and we went to perform at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. That night, the hall was jam-packed with who is who in Abeokuta since it was a command performance for Prof. Wole Soyinka’s birthday celebration. After the performance, Yemi Shodimu shook hands with all of us; as he was trying to tell me something, one of the casts quickly informed him that I am a deaf and he instantly became speechless and was just staring at me.
A few years later, we took the same performance to Yar’Adua centre in Abuja and it was filled with beautiful memories. On our way back, it was late and we had to park our buses inside Federal College of Education at Okene. Because we couldn’t find a place to sleep, we decided to start a gyration that ultimately woke up all the students. That night was mad fun!
There was also the production of IBOJI OKU, the Yoruba adaptation of Solomon Iguanres THE GRAVE ENCOUNTER, directed by Abraham Oladipupo. I was casted roles with very long speech that a lot of my casts started doubting if I was indeed a deaf. I wanted to give up that rehearsal because at every moment, someone would correct my pronunciation and I got really tired; but the director wouldn’t have any of that. I must say my time at University of Ibadan really taught me a lot about discipline, timing, focus and staying true to the course, as the show must go on!
I was also fortunate to attend a dance workshop organised by Mr. Qudus Onikeeku of QDance Centre, where we had the dance maestro, Ijodee in attendance. You can imagine what I learnt in two weeks with these dance professionals. There was also an occasion in my final year at the university when my group adopted one of my short film scripts for shooting in our project work, and on set, the director had to come to me occasionally to ask for understanding of some scenes and in the end we got good grades. Life at UI contributed a lot to what I am today and where I am going. I am proud to be an alumnus of Recte Sapere Fons.
Life as a deaf activist
I moderate Deaf World, a WhatsApp forum and also serve a ‘gateman’ for another forum that discusses matters relating to deaf advancement in Africa. I am a Special Adviser to the Excos of Ikotun Deaf Development Association in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos. Currently, I am also PRO for Deaf Resources Centre, Nigeria. I was among those who pioneered NUDSA (National union of deaf Students Association in University of Ibadan, and I am an entertainment consultant and youth leader for NNAD (Nigerian National Association of the Deaf) at national level. It’s not really easy doing all these but I am always pushing myself to the limits for whatever cause I believe in.
My other fancies
I read a lot. I also try to be creative by writing; I have a few uncompleted works from prose to drama and screenplay that I have been working on for years. I am a composer too and I look forward to having a collabo with any singer someday by giving them my work. All I do in the music video is sing along using sign language and dance because having had the opportunity of living in the two worlds, the deaf and hearing, I don’t believe music is music until I see deaf people grooving successfully to its beats and lyrics. This can be achieved by a hard danceable beat and sign language in music videos and I look forward to experimenting with it someday. Note that I used to be a juvenile choir leader in church; I lost my hearing prior to my transfer to the main choir. I strongly believe it is normal to be different. I spend time online too looking to network with people on the international level most especially deaf entertainment practitioners. I also read a lot about business management, African History, entertainment and politics. And occasionally when I have the chance, I engage in sport. I play soccer, walk soccer and I swim as a hobby.
My family, my pillar of support
They have been very supportive to the best of their capabilities. Being a first child comes with its own challenges. Through thick and thin we keep walking. Family is important to me because at the end of the day, they are the ones by your side. It got to a point my parents realised that I have my own dreams and they just had to let me be. Today, they keep reminding me how very proud they are of me. Aside my blood family, I also have some wonderful people who today consider me as family.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
‘Support handicapped children’ - MobilePunch
http://punchng.com/support-handicapped-children/
Support handicapped children’
4:14 am
Samson Folarin
A retiring Lagos principal, Mrs. Grace Sopeju, has called for support for students living with disabilities, saying they need help to achieve their dreams.
Sopeju said people needed to change their attitude towards special children.
She frowned on cases where parents keep their handicapped children away from school due to lack of funds, insisting that all children deserved qualitative education.
She spoke on Friday during her Pens-Down ceremony at the Gbagada Comprehensive Junior High School, Gbagada, Lagos.
Sopeju, who had spent over 30 years in public service, used the occasion to inaugurate a non-governmental organisation, Joshman Youth Foundation.
According to her, the group will serve as a platform to reach out and cater to physically challenged but talented youths.
She said, “Some of these children are mentally alert but have psycho-motor problems, that hinder them from talking or walking properly. I wish to identify youths with physical disabilities, whose indigent parents don’t also have enough funds to send them to school and help them with their finances. I wish to make them know God, who can help them manage their disabilities better.”
Sopeju, while advising the state government, said there was a need to increase the number of teachers in public schools to improve the learning process and reduce teachers’ workload.
She appealed to the Akinwunmi Ambode government to sustain some of the educational policies of the previous administration.
“For instance, the Eko project, which has assisted many schools, should be sustained.
“Besides, we need more teachers. We do not have enough personnel in schools. The work is enormous on teachers and some of them breakdown. The government should consider employing more hands to help the teeming crowd of students in our schools,” she said.
http://punchng.com/support-handicapped-children/
Support handicapped children’
4:14 am
Samson Folarin
A retiring Lagos principal, Mrs. Grace Sopeju, has called for support for students living with disabilities, saying they need help to achieve their dreams.
Sopeju said people needed to change their attitude towards special children.
She frowned on cases where parents keep their handicapped children away from school due to lack of funds, insisting that all children deserved qualitative education.
She spoke on Friday during her Pens-Down ceremony at the Gbagada Comprehensive Junior High School, Gbagada, Lagos.
Sopeju, who had spent over 30 years in public service, used the occasion to inaugurate a non-governmental organisation, Joshman Youth Foundation.
According to her, the group will serve as a platform to reach out and cater to physically challenged but talented youths.
She said, “Some of these children are mentally alert but have psycho-motor problems, that hinder them from talking or walking properly. I wish to identify youths with physical disabilities, whose indigent parents don’t also have enough funds to send them to school and help them with their finances. I wish to make them know God, who can help them manage their disabilities better.”
Sopeju, while advising the state government, said there was a need to increase the number of teachers in public schools to improve the learning process and reduce teachers’ workload.
She appealed to the Akinwunmi Ambode government to sustain some of the educational policies of the previous administration.
“For instance, the Eko project, which has assisted many schools, should be sustained.
“Besides, we need more teachers. We do not have enough personnel in schools. The work is enormous on teachers and some of them breakdown. The government should consider employing more hands to help the teeming crowd of students in our schools,” she said.
IT GOOD THAT EVERY PARENTS OF THE DEAF SHOULD LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE.
Why Parent's of Deaf children Don't Learn Sign Language
http://www.deafed.net/publishedDocs/sub/970415y.htm
http://www.deafed.net/publishedDocs/sub/970415y.htm
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
LADIES BECAREFUL WHO YOU MEET ON FACEBOOK
*He added u on Facebook
*U check his photos
*He Drives G-wagon 2015 model
*He confirms.
*He inboxes U
*U reply,all excited .
*U want 2 hook up
*U set a date .
*U dress up
*No underwear.
*smell gud
*U put on a make up - fresh breath &
new weave
*He takes u 4 lunch @ golden gate restaurant .
*He Takes u 4 Drinks At Nandos
*U 2 av a gud time .
*He rubs ur hand ,
*Makes u laugh ,
*Gives u luks & smiles.
*U fall in luv .
*It's lyk u've known him 4eva.
*He takes u to his apartment .
*He makes u feel comfortable & lays u on his
bed
*Kiss u passionately.
*U luv his aggression,strength,power & you give
in
*It feels gud .
*U know it's wrong ,but it feels gud.
*U ask 4 protection,he says it's too late.
*U obey & don't disturb .
*He says he luvs u
*& u don't hesitate to say u luv him too
*after, he goes 2 d kitchen to get a glass of
h20 .
*He helps u drink it,ohh man.
*U feel special .
*He must be the 1 u think 2 urself
U'll get dressed .
*He takes u 2 d taxi park.
*He kisses u on d chick & says
*I had a great time.
*Gives u 100,000 grand • U smile & say
*See u 2moro babe.
* He stays silent .
*Ur taxi drives away.
*in d taxi u can't stop smiling .
*U get home & inbox him that u got home safe .
*He is online,but doesn't reply .
*It's unlike him,so u inbox him again .
* doesn't respond.
*Minutes later u can't find him on ur friend list .
*HE BLOCKED YOU .
*Days,weeks,months passes by.
*U start feeling sick,weak,loose weight,act
strange with sores in ur mouth.
*U go 2 d clinic.
*Get tested.
*Minutes later,
*Nurse walks in. I m sorry.You're HIV Positive &
*Mogbe!
Pregnant !
*HOW ?"
*U don't understand .
*Reality hits u.
*U walk home.
*Scared.
*Confused.
*U go 2 d taxi Park.
*U lay,hopeless,emotionless.
*U see death coming nearer.
*U look in2 d sky & mumble a prayer.
That's the end of u
Don't be that girl !Live well. Stop Chasing
Material Things
Be A Girl You Want Your Daughter To Be!
TO ALL D LADIES.
LIVE A LIFE THAT ALWAYS PLEASE GOD
ALONE
AND NOT
HUMAN BEING....
*U check his photos
*He Drives G-wagon 2015 model
*He confirms.
*He inboxes U
*U reply,all excited .
*U want 2 hook up
*U set a date .
*U dress up
*No underwear.
*smell gud
*U put on a make up - fresh breath &
new weave
*He takes u 4 lunch @ golden gate restaurant .
*He Takes u 4 Drinks At Nandos
*U 2 av a gud time .
*He rubs ur hand ,
*Makes u laugh ,
*Gives u luks & smiles.
*U fall in luv .
*It's lyk u've known him 4eva.
*He takes u to his apartment .
*He makes u feel comfortable & lays u on his
bed
*Kiss u passionately.
*U luv his aggression,strength,power & you give
in
*It feels gud .
*U know it's wrong ,but it feels gud.
*U ask 4 protection,he says it's too late.
*U obey & don't disturb .
*He says he luvs u
*& u don't hesitate to say u luv him too
*after, he goes 2 d kitchen to get a glass of
h20 .
*He helps u drink it,ohh man.
*U feel special .
*He must be the 1 u think 2 urself
U'll get dressed .
*He takes u 2 d taxi park.
*He kisses u on d chick & says
*I had a great time.
*Gives u 100,000 grand • U smile & say
*See u 2moro babe.
* He stays silent .
*Ur taxi drives away.
*in d taxi u can't stop smiling .
*U get home & inbox him that u got home safe .
*He is online,but doesn't reply .
*It's unlike him,so u inbox him again .
* doesn't respond.
*Minutes later u can't find him on ur friend list .
*HE BLOCKED YOU .
*Days,weeks,months passes by.
*U start feeling sick,weak,loose weight,act
strange with sores in ur mouth.
*U go 2 d clinic.
*Get tested.
*Minutes later,
*Nurse walks in. I m sorry.You're HIV Positive &
*Mogbe!
Pregnant !
*HOW ?"
*U don't understand .
*Reality hits u.
*U walk home.
*Scared.
*Confused.
*U go 2 d taxi Park.
*U lay,hopeless,emotionless.
*U see death coming nearer.
*U look in2 d sky & mumble a prayer.
That's the end of u
Don't be that girl !Live well. Stop Chasing
Material Things
Be A Girl You Want Your Daughter To Be!
TO ALL D LADIES.
LIVE A LIFE THAT ALWAYS PLEASE GOD
ALONE
AND NOT
HUMAN BEING....
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
In 1892 at Stanford University:
An 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. He and a friend decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.
They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck and the boys began to work to make the concert a success.
The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance $400. They promised to honour the cheque at the soonest possible.
“No,” said Paderewski. “This is not acceptable.” He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 and told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised, and thanked him profusely.
It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being.
Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think “If I help them, what would happen to me?” The truly great people think, “If I don’t help them, what will happen to them?” They don’t do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.
Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were more than 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no money to feed them. Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food and Relief Administration for help.
He heard there was a man called Herbert Hoover — who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of food grains to feed the starving Polish people.
A calamity was averted. Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, “You shouldn’t be thanking me Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college. I was one of them.”
The world is a wonderful place. What goes around comes around, pls help others, God will definitely help you.
An 18-year-old student was struggling to pay his fees. He was an orphan, and not knowing where to turn for money, he came up with a bright idea. He and a friend decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.
They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck and the boys began to work to make the concert a success.
The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski and explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance $400. They promised to honour the cheque at the soonest possible.
“No,” said Paderewski. “This is not acceptable.” He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 and told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised, and thanked him profusely.
It was a small act of kindness. But it clearly marked out Paderewski as a great human being.
Why should he help two people he did not even know? We all come across situations like these in our lives. And most of us only think “If I help them, what would happen to me?” The truly great people think, “If I don’t help them, what will happen to them?” They don’t do it expecting something in return. They do it because they feel it’s the right thing to do.
Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were more than 1.5 million people starving in his country, and no money to feed them. Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food and Relief Administration for help.
He heard there was a man called Herbert Hoover — who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help and quickly shipped tons of food grains to feed the starving Polish people.
A calamity was averted. Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover and personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interjected and said, “You shouldn’t be thanking me Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college. I was one of them.”
The world is a wonderful place. What goes around comes around, pls help others, God will definitely help you.
Sunday, 15 November 2015
join hand in fighting against discrimination for the deaf..
Once upon a time, there lived an American inventor of Dutch origin and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph and a long lasting light bulb. His name is THOMAS EDISON and he had both hearing and learning disabilities.
Once upon a time, there lived an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He was Blind from infancy. His name is Steveland Hardaway Judkins aka STEVIE WONDER.
In recent times, we have also seen and heard of Cobhams Asuquo, Pastor Nick Vujicic and their likes; People who have been able to live above their disabilities and still find a way to positively impact the society.
However, there are many reported cases and complaints of vulnerable individuals being denied the privileges of getting the best of education on grounds of their disability thus leading to botched aspirations, dreams and goals in life.
What is more gruesome and disheartening is that most of these students after parting with valuable resources and time, and going as far as their 3rd and 4th year in the university, will just wake up and be greeted with a letter from their Institution informing them that they have been de-registered from the school just because of their disability (an example is shown via the attached letter) without any compensation, recommendation, alternatives and otherwise.
Due to the non-passage/absence of Disability Act/Bill, neither due process nor Rule of Law are effective enough to keep this menace in check. (and forgive/enlighten me if there is any).
This madness has now gotten to the stage where silence is no longer golden. I hereby on behalf of millions of individuals who as result of this have to go through such physical and emotional trauma, raise my voice to preach against this unfair acts. Join the Campaign and say no to #Discrimination against people with disability.
Please Share and Tag your friends to support this campaign.
Every Individual irrespective of their disability have the right to Education.
Join me lets #SayNoToInjustice, lets #RiseUpAgainstWickedness, lets #StandUpForWhatIsRight!
Once upon a time, there lived an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He was Blind from infancy. His name is Steveland Hardaway Judkins aka STEVIE WONDER.
In recent times, we have also seen and heard of Cobhams Asuquo, Pastor Nick Vujicic and their likes; People who have been able to live above their disabilities and still find a way to positively impact the society.
However, there are many reported cases and complaints of vulnerable individuals being denied the privileges of getting the best of education on grounds of their disability thus leading to botched aspirations, dreams and goals in life.
What is more gruesome and disheartening is that most of these students after parting with valuable resources and time, and going as far as their 3rd and 4th year in the university, will just wake up and be greeted with a letter from their Institution informing them that they have been de-registered from the school just because of their disability (an example is shown via the attached letter) without any compensation, recommendation, alternatives and otherwise.
Due to the non-passage/absence of Disability Act/Bill, neither due process nor Rule of Law are effective enough to keep this menace in check. (and forgive/enlighten me if there is any).
This madness has now gotten to the stage where silence is no longer golden. I hereby on behalf of millions of individuals who as result of this have to go through such physical and emotional trauma, raise my voice to preach against this unfair acts. Join the Campaign and say no to #Discrimination against people with disability.
Please Share and Tag your friends to support this campaign.
Every Individual irrespective of their disability have the right to Education.
Join me lets #SayNoToInjustice, lets #RiseUpAgainstWickedness, lets #StandUpForWhatIsRight!
Sunday, 8 November 2015
A LETTER FROM AN ABORTED CHILD
Dear Mum,
I have decided 2 talk 2 you,2 let u know my feelings. I want to know why u did it. I stayed inside u for only a couple of weeks. I was very comfortable & warm. I felt really protected. I knew you were a special person because u neva stopped me from eating d food u ate. I longed for the day I would see your face. 9 months was a long time to wait, but I was determined 2 wait. A man then offered u some money 2 get rid of me. I was happy & prayed that this meant that I would at least see u. I was wrong until I felt something sharp pierce my tiny ear. I jerked silently & in pain, I asked u2 protect me. Seconds later d object came fiercer my tiny body was cut up, starting from the ears then arms & legs. It was an agonizing experience. My head was then cut off & I died.
It took me a whole hour to die. A whole hour for an innocent few weeks human being to be murdered by you! I remember d whole incident vividly and I keep asking myself what I did to deserve that cruel death. Why me? And why was I not given a chance to live just like the children you hear playing around? How do you feel when you send some of them on errands when I could have done that with pride if you had given me the chance to live? Don't you see the beauty in playing with a child that calls you mom with a sweet soft voice?
I know you are having a lot of nightmares. You remain guilty for the beastly act. Please explain to God why you committed the heinous act. He sent me to you as a very special gift. I have forgiven you though I never lived to see your face. My journey back to my creator was safe, I was given a red-carpet welcome by an angel. I am in fact without bitterness. I still love you, mum.
Yours
Never-seen child.
If you are touched, join the "STOP ABORTION" campaign by sharing this post with your friends.
....STOP ABORTION!!!... #SaveTheFutureLeaderOfTommorrow
Dear Mum,
I have decided 2 talk 2 you,2 let u know my feelings. I want to know why u did it. I stayed inside u for only a couple of weeks. I was very comfortable & warm. I felt really protected. I knew you were a special person because u neva stopped me from eating d food u ate. I longed for the day I would see your face. 9 months was a long time to wait, but I was determined 2 wait. A man then offered u some money 2 get rid of me. I was happy & prayed that this meant that I would at least see u. I was wrong until I felt something sharp pierce my tiny ear. I jerked silently & in pain, I asked u2 protect me. Seconds later d object came fiercer my tiny body was cut up, starting from the ears then arms & legs. It was an agonizing experience. My head was then cut off & I died.
It took me a whole hour to die. A whole hour for an innocent few weeks human being to be murdered by you! I remember d whole incident vividly and I keep asking myself what I did to deserve that cruel death. Why me? And why was I not given a chance to live just like the children you hear playing around? How do you feel when you send some of them on errands when I could have done that with pride if you had given me the chance to live? Don't you see the beauty in playing with a child that calls you mom with a sweet soft voice?
I know you are having a lot of nightmares. You remain guilty for the beastly act. Please explain to God why you committed the heinous act. He sent me to you as a very special gift. I have forgiven you though I never lived to see your face. My journey back to my creator was safe, I was given a red-carpet welcome by an angel. I am in fact without bitterness. I still love you, mum.
Yours
Never-seen child.
If you are touched, join the "STOP ABORTION" campaign by sharing this post with your friends.
....STOP ABORTION!!!... #SaveTheFutureLeaderOfTommorrow
Friday, 6 November 2015
ladies don't be in a hurry...
Sex has turned many ladies' heads upside down, making them think what they feel for a particular guy is true love because he held it down well. You meet a guy, he takes you out; He has a great sex with you, it was like heaven to you. He makes you feel happy. Because you enjoyed him so much you start assuming both of you are meant to be together as husband & wife. You start dreaming of your future with him while he's just having fun. Funny right? You find yourself infatuated with him just because you don't want to feel used & dumped. Sometimes you need to sit down & ask yourself; what do i really love about this guy? Do I see Godliness in him? Is he a guy I can boldly take to my parents? Can I introduce him as my husband to people who are responsible?
You know the guy is not capable of being a good husband & father; yet because he's handsome and hot you want to kill yourself because of him. But sometimes you need to differentiate between what you just feel and what you really deserve. Don't start dreaming of your future with a guy who is just catching his fun. Don't attach a permanent feeling to a temporal person. Don't open up your heart to a guy who opened only his zip to you.same goes to guys! Think twice!! Stop jumping into conclusion
catch much fun can't come and kill yourself...
.......all I do is to share creative & useful information to the society making Nigeria a better Place....I care ladies always pray for ur Mr right,because no one knw tomorrow...
You know the guy is not capable of being a good husband & father; yet because he's handsome and hot you want to kill yourself because of him. But sometimes you need to differentiate between what you just feel and what you really deserve. Don't start dreaming of your future with a guy who is just catching his fun. Don't attach a permanent feeling to a temporal person. Don't open up your heart to a guy who opened only his zip to you.same goes to guys! Think twice!! Stop jumping into conclusion
catch much fun can't come and kill yourself...
.......all I do is to share creative & useful information to the society making Nigeria a better Place....I care ladies always pray for ur Mr right,because no one knw tomorrow...
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
I Am Not Deaf
Just that I do not believe in sound
For it doesn't exist, that's my belief
I can't 'see' it above nor in the ground
Birds only fly, they don't sing
I see only a Lightning, I don't hear a Thunder
Sound doesn't exist, I don't hear a thing
So why should I shudder
The siren glows, 'they' doesn't blare
The whole earth is quiet, filled with solitude
I am glad I can't hear
This facet contributes to my pulchritude
The Ears are just another beautiful design on the face
How can sound walk into them?
They only keep you poise', from place to place
They do not help you hear or deem...
They only make you look perfect as Human
I Am Not Deaf!
I Am Just One Who Does Not Feel Sound Live.
Just that I do not believe in sound
For it doesn't exist, that's my belief
I can't 'see' it above nor in the ground
Birds only fly, they don't sing
I see only a Lightning, I don't hear a Thunder
Sound doesn't exist, I don't hear a thing
So why should I shudder
The siren glows, 'they' doesn't blare
The whole earth is quiet, filled with solitude
I am glad I can't hear
This facet contributes to my pulchritude
The Ears are just another beautiful design on the face
How can sound walk into them?
They only keep you poise', from place to place
They do not help you hear or deem...
They only make you look perfect as Human
I Am Not Deaf!
I Am Just One Who Does Not Feel Sound Live.
Don't look down on your follow ladies.
Because you are using IPhone 5s, 6s and Blackberry z10 and Blackberry Passport you are looking down on somebody who's using Techno. Because you are in school or already a graduate and you are disrespecting those who are not yet in school, because you are newly married every other single women out there are no longer at your level or category. Because you wear Brazilian, Peruvian, Indian and Malaysian hair those who fix the usual fiber hair are no longer in same class as you, because you stay in the UK, US and other Western States and you are belittling those living in third world countries. If you think you have everything, if you think you are better than every other person, why don't you use a basket to fetch water? Why don't you use a knife to bring down an Iroko tree? Have you asked yourself, the air you breathe in are they yours? What if those air were to be taken away from you? My advice is don't look down on your follow ladies..I care
Monday, 2 November 2015
RE:MOTION FOR THE UPGRADE OF FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (SP)-A REJOINDER.
The motion moved by Honourable Prince Akeem Adeyemi , representing Oyo Federal Constituency , on the floor of the House of Representatives, Abuja, for urgent upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, to University status is timely, visionary and judicious. It echoed a concern shared by those who have identified with, and testified to the vital role the College continue to play in the production of professionals whose work illuminate the field of Special Needs Education, and whose dedication to the provision of excellent education for students with special needs is renowned not only in the country, but also beyond our shore.
This call by Honourable Akeem Adeyemi, coming in the wake of recent approval given for the upgrade to University status of five similar Colleges of Education, goes beyond mere patriotism. It is a call deserving the supports of all stakeholders, special education professionals, the public and other well meaning individuals.
Nigerian Deaf Teachers Association is supportive of this call. We believe that granting University status to the College will pave the way for improved standard in the quality of personnel who will go on to facilitate the teaching and development of students with special needs. Furthermore , it offers a ray of hope to thousands of students with special needs education who struggle to acquire university education in a supportive and facilitative environment.
NIDETA has noted with increasing concerns reported cases where the education of students with hearing impairment has been abruptly terminated by ill-informed and ill-equipped Universities on the basis that such hearing impaired students are "medically challenged." Other cluster of students with varying degree of disabilities also have their studies disrupted. Systematic discrimination and the absence of enabling access would all be resolved if an upgrade is granted to the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
While we appreciate this initiative taken by Hon (Prince) Akeem Adeyemi, we call on his team not to relent but to be steadfast and resolutely commit their time and energy to the actualisation of this noble effort. We also wish to call on both chambers to expedite action on this proposal, liaise with the National university Commission, the Federal Ministry of education to begin the process of upgrading the College.
We at NIDETA wish to use this opportunity to call on government at all levels, especially the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governors Forum,Northern governors forum, Progressive Governors forum, the diaspora citizens of Nigeria, Human Rights bodies, NGOs and members of the general public,to join us by rising to the challenge, and offer us their support with due regard to the initiative of Prince Akeem Adeyemi and his team. This proposal to upgrade the Federal College of Education to the status of a degree awarding tertiary institution is timely and greatly appreciated.
Thanks
At NIDETA, we look forward to witnessing a new chapter in the education of special needs persons in the country and thus open hitherto shut doors of opportunities and inclusiveness.
Signed.
Omopariola Bolarinwa Anthony
NIDETANPRO
The motion moved by Honourable Prince Akeem Adeyemi , representing Oyo Federal Constituency , on the floor of the House of Representatives, Abuja, for urgent upgrade of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, to University status is timely, visionary and judicious. It echoed a concern shared by those who have identified with, and testified to the vital role the College continue to play in the production of professionals whose work illuminate the field of Special Needs Education, and whose dedication to the provision of excellent education for students with special needs is renowned not only in the country, but also beyond our shore.
This call by Honourable Akeem Adeyemi, coming in the wake of recent approval given for the upgrade to University status of five similar Colleges of Education, goes beyond mere patriotism. It is a call deserving the supports of all stakeholders, special education professionals, the public and other well meaning individuals.
Nigerian Deaf Teachers Association is supportive of this call. We believe that granting University status to the College will pave the way for improved standard in the quality of personnel who will go on to facilitate the teaching and development of students with special needs. Furthermore , it offers a ray of hope to thousands of students with special needs education who struggle to acquire university education in a supportive and facilitative environment.
NIDETA has noted with increasing concerns reported cases where the education of students with hearing impairment has been abruptly terminated by ill-informed and ill-equipped Universities on the basis that such hearing impaired students are "medically challenged." Other cluster of students with varying degree of disabilities also have their studies disrupted. Systematic discrimination and the absence of enabling access would all be resolved if an upgrade is granted to the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
While we appreciate this initiative taken by Hon (Prince) Akeem Adeyemi, we call on his team not to relent but to be steadfast and resolutely commit their time and energy to the actualisation of this noble effort. We also wish to call on both chambers to expedite action on this proposal, liaise with the National university Commission, the Federal Ministry of education to begin the process of upgrading the College.
We at NIDETA wish to use this opportunity to call on government at all levels, especially the Federal Government, the Nigerian Governors Forum,Northern governors forum, Progressive Governors forum, the diaspora citizens of Nigeria, Human Rights bodies, NGOs and members of the general public,to join us by rising to the challenge, and offer us their support with due regard to the initiative of Prince Akeem Adeyemi and his team. This proposal to upgrade the Federal College of Education to the status of a degree awarding tertiary institution is timely and greatly appreciated.
Thanks
At NIDETA, we look forward to witnessing a new chapter in the education of special needs persons in the country and thus open hitherto shut doors of opportunities and inclusiveness.
Signed.
Omopariola Bolarinwa Anthony
NIDETANPRO
Sunday, 1 November 2015
SEX
SEX IS SWEET BUT...
Have you ever
wondered why God carefully
positioned a membrane of blood in a lady’s
sexual opening? It is a thiny membrane that
partially or completely covers the opening of
the vagina. It is called the “HYMEN”.
Why would God-Our Maker put a breakable
tissue full of blood at the very door of the
sexual opening of the female?
Why is it so carefully placed at that entrance,
like a ribbon tied at the entrance of a new
house about to be launched?
Why is it filled with blood that spills away
when it is broken?
Why? Without doubt, the HYMEN IS A GATE!
It was God (our creator) who set that blood-
filled vessel there as a covenant blockage, a
sign and a token of a covenant between the
bearer and whoever plunges into her opening.
Before God, the disvirginity of a lady is not a
casual act of fun. It is a serious covenant
struck and confirmed by the blood shed on
that day.
This is God’s way of saying, “Whoever plunges
into this woman shall only be able to do so
by
making a blood covenant to be joined to her
for the rest of his life, from that point onward.
Little wonder why sexual intercourse was
designed by God to take place only and only
after the marriage contract is sealed.
The one
who made the body (the hormones, organs,
nerves, tissues, e.t.c)God said it in clear terms,
the body is not for
fornication”.
Anyone who chooses to use the body for
fornication must know that he/ she is working
directly against God’s plan and there would
definitely be a consequence either now or at
old age!There is a spiritual bonding, a
supernatural
process that takes place in a lady’s heart to the
first guy that enters in to her especially at
that
particular time when the hymen breaks.
There
is no covenant without blood: this is why the
membrane contains enough of it.
As a matter of fact, what happens the first
time a lady has sex is not just sex but an
immersion and a bathing of the man with her
hymen blood to initiate a covenant that is
highly recognized in the spirit realm of both
light and darkness!
The first time this happens
just marks her opening day covenant
ceremony
and each subsequent experience goes on to
further refresh or strengthen that covenant or
establish another version of it with another
person.
Many have washed useless boys with that
hymen-blood.
Many have struck irreversible covenants with
men that have nothing to do with their
destiny.
Many have shared that hymen blood in sexual
activity with demon-possessedmen while
some
others have struck such precious covenants
with candle sticks as they exercised sex with it.
If only they knew,many girls who carelessly
allowed themselves to be disvirgined in a bid
to be among the so called “big girls” would
never have done so.
The let me says it in clear terms: “Or do you not
know that he who is joined to a harlot
(through sexual activity) is one with her ?
This is why many girls are not yet married yet
their spiritual composition is already shattered
and imbalanced, because they have mingled
their souls with that of different men.
Dear Singles,know today that there is a
definite
proportion of your virtue that leaves you each
time a man enters into you and when that
man
leaves you, he leaves with it. Just imagine
how
much of yourself would be lost each time a
man enters into you without any properly
signed marriage bond or contract.
Sex is a spiritual affair. A giving of yourself to
another. All of thbese things have strong and
terrible spiritual implications.
A broken hymen opens you up to the spirit of
the man that broke it, any other spirit
whatsoever that may have mingled with that
man’s spirit, those who have mingled theirs
with him and the spirit of any other man that
enters into you thereafter. The fun part is that
pre-marital sex is not funny at all. What
happens between the lines could be deadly and
dangerous.
The very first day a lady, or a man does that
there will be spiritual transfer of destiny.
The sin of fornication gives demons and
occultic people direct access into your God's
given destiny. And it drives
away your guardian angel will
no longer be with you,So guys,zip up! Girls wise
up!! It doesn't
matter matters a lot.
BIG THINGS COMES FROM LITTLE THINGS WE
DO!!! I know a soul has been touched today.
Hav a nice day &remain blessed!
Have you ever
wondered why God carefully
positioned a membrane of blood in a lady’s
sexual opening? It is a thiny membrane that
partially or completely covers the opening of
the vagina. It is called the “HYMEN”.
Why would God-Our Maker put a breakable
tissue full of blood at the very door of the
sexual opening of the female?
Why is it so carefully placed at that entrance,
like a ribbon tied at the entrance of a new
house about to be launched?
Why is it filled with blood that spills away
when it is broken?
Why? Without doubt, the HYMEN IS A GATE!
It was God (our creator) who set that blood-
filled vessel there as a covenant blockage, a
sign and a token of a covenant between the
bearer and whoever plunges into her opening.
Before God, the disvirginity of a lady is not a
casual act of fun. It is a serious covenant
struck and confirmed by the blood shed on
that day.
This is God’s way of saying, “Whoever plunges
into this woman shall only be able to do so
by
making a blood covenant to be joined to her
for the rest of his life, from that point onward.
Little wonder why sexual intercourse was
designed by God to take place only and only
after the marriage contract is sealed.
The one
who made the body (the hormones, organs,
nerves, tissues, e.t.c)God said it in clear terms,
the body is not for
fornication”.
Anyone who chooses to use the body for
fornication must know that he/ she is working
directly against God’s plan and there would
definitely be a consequence either now or at
old age!There is a spiritual bonding, a
supernatural
process that takes place in a lady’s heart to the
first guy that enters in to her especially at
that
particular time when the hymen breaks.
There
is no covenant without blood: this is why the
membrane contains enough of it.
As a matter of fact, what happens the first
time a lady has sex is not just sex but an
immersion and a bathing of the man with her
hymen blood to initiate a covenant that is
highly recognized in the spirit realm of both
light and darkness!
The first time this happens
just marks her opening day covenant
ceremony
and each subsequent experience goes on to
further refresh or strengthen that covenant or
establish another version of it with another
person.
Many have washed useless boys with that
hymen-blood.
Many have struck irreversible covenants with
men that have nothing to do with their
destiny.
Many have shared that hymen blood in sexual
activity with demon-possessedmen while
some
others have struck such precious covenants
with candle sticks as they exercised sex with it.
If only they knew,many girls who carelessly
allowed themselves to be disvirgined in a bid
to be among the so called “big girls” would
never have done so.
The let me says it in clear terms: “Or do you not
know that he who is joined to a harlot
(through sexual activity) is one with her ?
This is why many girls are not yet married yet
their spiritual composition is already shattered
and imbalanced, because they have mingled
their souls with that of different men.
Dear Singles,know today that there is a
definite
proportion of your virtue that leaves you each
time a man enters into you and when that
man
leaves you, he leaves with it. Just imagine
how
much of yourself would be lost each time a
man enters into you without any properly
signed marriage bond or contract.
Sex is a spiritual affair. A giving of yourself to
another. All of thbese things have strong and
terrible spiritual implications.
A broken hymen opens you up to the spirit of
the man that broke it, any other spirit
whatsoever that may have mingled with that
man’s spirit, those who have mingled theirs
with him and the spirit of any other man that
enters into you thereafter. The fun part is that
pre-marital sex is not funny at all. What
happens between the lines could be deadly and
dangerous.
The very first day a lady, or a man does that
there will be spiritual transfer of destiny.
The sin of fornication gives demons and
occultic people direct access into your God's
given destiny. And it drives
away your guardian angel will
no longer be with you,So guys,zip up! Girls wise
up!! It doesn't
matter matters a lot.
BIG THINGS COMES FROM LITTLE THINGS WE
DO!!! I know a soul has been touched today.
Hav a nice day &remain blessed!
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